Day 27: Feudalism (10/10/2012)

7.6.3. Understand the development of feudalism, its role in the medieval European economy, the way in which it was influenced by physical geography (the role of the manor and the growth of towns), and how feudal relationships provided the foundation of political order.

SS Objective: The Junior Historians of 2018 will be able to describe the rise of feudalism and identify the order of societal rank and loyalties within feudal Europe.



Step 1:  Explain Feudalism. Do you think it is fair system? Why or why not?

Step 3: Feudalism Simulation (10 min). Track Mrs. Ziccardi as she sets up the simulation. Make sure you are waiting patiently!


Step 3: Discussion (10 min). We will talk about the following questions:

How did it feel to be a monarch? A lord? A knight? A serf?
How did it feel to be "born" into a role you could not change?
In what ways are the lord, knight, and serf dependent on each other?
What are some advantages of organizing society this way? Disadvantages?
Why did feudalism develop?  (<-- Click me if you don't know! I'm a Link!!)
If most people were on the bottom, why did they allow it?
What does this say about society or social structures?

Is our social structure similar?

Homework: Read this article about daily life during the Middle Ages, then answer these questions. Make sure you use complete sentences. Use the text, but put it in your own words!